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Think back to the first time someone told you about the game Tetris. Was it a friend? An older sibling or a parent? Maybe you saw someone playing it at an arcade. How long did it take you to get what Tetris is — what you had to accomplish in the game and how to play it? 2024 boasts the 40th anniversary of the classic game of falling blocks, known as tetrominoes. More than 520 million copies of Tetris have been sold since its worldwide release in the 1980s. For our series "Game Mode", we're setting up to stack — looking at the game's history and why it became and has stayed popular. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Most of us know that trees can help reduce the impacts of climate change by taking in carbon dioxide. Most of us also know that scientists and environmental authorities have been sounding alarms for the better part of the last decade about the devastating effects of climate change. Could trees store enough carbon, with a lot of help from us, to offset humanity's carbon emissions? What's the role of trees in our fight against climate change? And what's better left to other climate solutions? We talk to an author whose new book explores whether or not serious reforestation efforts can really be an effective solution to reducing the carbon in our atmosphere. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

It's no surprise we love talking about food here at 1A. From the latest cookbooks to answering your questions about your favorite foods. As a holiday treat, we're bringing you highlights from the latest episode of Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Radio Podcast. For the complete episode, and to learn more about Milk Street be sure to visit milkstreetradio.com. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Just hours before federal funding for the government runs out, Congress is left scrambling to find a way to keep the government open after midnight tonight. Meanwhile, a New York judge has decided that Trump can't use his presidential immunity to shed his felony conviction. And Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of the UnitedHealthcare CEO, was charged with murder as an act of terrorism. In global news, following the fall of the Assad regime, prosecutors, aid workers, and journalists are learning more about the atrocities committed under Syria's former president. Israeli attacks on hospitals in northern Gaza have left the medical facilities barely able to provide basic care and no longer capable of surgical procedures or maternal services. And Canada's embattled prime minister, Justin Trudeau, saw his position as the country's leader weaken this week after the resignation of his finance minister. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

It's the holiday season. And that means time spent with friends, with family, and... in the car. Or a plane. Or a train. Or maybe even by boat. But one thing's for sure. America will be on the move here soon if it's not already. Where are we going, what's waiting for us when we get there, and why is it so difficult sometimes to get where we need to go at the end of another year? Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Have you ever gotten into an impassioned argument in the shower with a sparring partner who... wasn't actually there? How about replaying a dinner party conversation from weeks ago but this time, you know exactly what to say and you're saying it... to yourself? Whether the dialogue is in our heads or said aloud, many of us talk to ourselves, even if we don't realize it. But oftentimes the habit is seen as strange — especially if there are others around. We get into why so many of us talk to ourselves, and what the benefits of self-talk. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The Federal Reserve has begun cutting interest rates after two years of rate hikes to the highest levels in decades. It meets again this week to decide whether to cut them again, or keep them as is. High interest rates made the cost of borrowing high, meaning that car loans, credit card debt, and mortgages cost exponentially more than before the pandemic. We discuss how the Fed's decision to lower rates affects the economy. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Last week, the House passed a bill to create 63 new permanent judgeships. Case backlogs and delays have had many lawmakers saying we need more federal judges. If the bill did become law, President-elect Donald Trump would have 22 new seats to fill. The legislation originally had bipartisan support, but President Joe Biden vowed to veto it, with the support of many Democrats. In his first term, Trump put more judges in place than almost any president in history. Biden has made his mark too, nearly matching that number. As of last week, he had also put more judges of color on the bench than any of his predecessors. Federal judges almost always serve life terms, meaning each of these picks can have lasting consequences for Americans. We look back and look ahead at our federal judiciary. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Bill Browder is a financier turned anti-corruption campaigner. He made his fortune in post-Soviet Russia before falling afoul of Putin. We last spoke to him back in 2018. Back then, few imagined Russia would dare carry out a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But Browder wasn't one of them. Now, with Donald Trump's return to the White House just weeks away, the newly knighted Browder tell us world leaders must act. He joins us to explain why Putin remains such a huge threat to Ukraine and the world. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The alleged shooter of the UnitedHealthcare CEO, Luigi Mangione, was apprehended this week in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after an employee at a local McDonald's phoned authorities claiming to have recognized him from photographs provided by New York police. President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 1,500 Americans this week. According to his administration, it's a single-day record. After rebels took control of the Syrian capital of Aleppo, President Bashar al-Assad fled the country and has been granted asylum in Russia. Now, the world is asking what's next for the country and for the region. The rebels have also dealt a blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin's ambitions in Europe and the Mediterranean. His forces' main point of entry to the sea was tied to the Assad dynasty. Russia's military presence on the Syrian coast is now in jeopardy. We cover all these stories and more during the News Roundup. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

There are few books in the world that most people have heard of. There are even fewer so recognizable that are 500,000 words long. That's right, we're talking about the dictionary. The Oxford English Dictionary is the longest English variant of its kind in the world. But many of those who made significant contributions to its creation went unknown for years — until now. These included hundreds of women, people without formal educations, and patients in mental institutions. In other words, the people who helped make the OED were as diverse as the words in it. We discuss how the Oxford English Dictionary came to be and how our relationship to the dictionary has changed. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Pasteurization is the process that rids milk of bacteria. But more people are opting for unpasteurized milk, also known as raw milk. In May, sales of raw milk rose more than 20 percent compared to the year before. That's according to Nielson IQ, a market research firm. But consuming raw milk comes with significant risks. In late November, California regulators recalled some raw milk products after detecting bird flu virus. And last week, the USDA ordered testing across the nation's milk supply over bird flu concerns — an issue that began back in March. Although both the CDC and FDA caution against the consumption of raw milk, the product is being pushed by some right-wing conservatives. One of the most prominent proponents of raw milk is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — President-elect Donald Trump's pick to serve as secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services. We discuss why people are drinking raw milk despite the risks. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

2024 was, in many ways, a year of elections. Both home and abroad.President-elect Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in November. He won a second term in office and will be headed back to Washington come January. Across the globe, an election took place in India in seven stages starting in the spring and ending in June. Voters in Pakistan and Indonesia also went to the polls. European governments in France, Slovakia, the U.K. all saw switch ups. Germany, a financial powerhouse in the E.U., called a snap election for early 2025. We discuss the democratic elections around the world and what the outcomes reflect when it comes to the wishes of voters. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Over the past year, the Chinese government has stepped up its cyber operations, focusing not just on espionage or stealing intellectual property, but on hacking to bolster geopolitical goals. U.S. authorities and institutions are used to digital aggression from the likes of Russia. But are now freshly reconsidering the objectives and capabilities of one of the country's other eastern rivals. We discuss those goals and how China using cyberspace to achieve them. We also discuss the latest from Russia. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

$10 billion. That's how much money was taken from Americans in fraud schemes last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Many of those crimes – specifically those involving imposters – often start with a phone call or a text and a made-up claim. Victims can hand over thousands of dollars. And they often feel ashamed about being duped by these criminals. How do we let go of the stigma around being scammed? And what's being done about the increasingly elaborate ways scammers are stealing people's money? The Washington Post's Michelle Singletary helps us answer those questions. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

President-elect Donald Trump is packing his administration with incredibly wealthy businesspeople. His picks make up what could be the wealthiest government in U.S. history – worth about $340 billion. Watchdog groups are sounding the alarm, saying the business interests of many of these powerful picks are at odds with what's best for the American people. Trump himself is again bringing financial conflicts into office, too. But this time, there are fewer guardrails to prevent abuses of power for his financial gain. Meanwhile, new Trump organization business deals are on the horizon. We discuss why this matter for the American people, and if our government can protect itself from financial conflicts at its highest levels of power. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

On Sunday, Syrian rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) made its final march on the Syrian capital of Damascus. The rebels had already claimed the major cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs. In a matter of hours and with little violence, Syrian government forces abandoned their posts and HTS claimed victory. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country and has been granted asylum in Russia. After more than five decades, Syria is no longer under the rule of the Assad dynasty. And the region is transformed forever. But as people rejoice across Syria – what's left is immense uncertainty about the future of the country's government and its place in the region. We get to the latest and look to the future for both Syria and the Middle East. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Before Kelly Bishop found her way into our hearts as Emily Gilmore, she danced her way into history in Broadway's "A Chorus Line" and the movie "Dirty Dancing." Most recently, you might have seen her as Mrs. Ivey in Hulu's "The Watchful Eye." But chances are you probably recognize the Tony-Award winner from her role as the matriarch of Stars Hollow. She joins us to talk about her new memoir, "The Third Gilmore Girl." Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

A manhunt is underway in New York City for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. He was shot and killed on a busy Midtown Manhattan street in a targeted early morning attack. And despite saying that he wouldn't do so, President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, this week for federal crimes. Also this week, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. The move was rejected by the parliament and reversed by the president six hours later. His political future hangs in limbo. And rebel groups now control significant parts of the Syrian cities of Aleppo and Hama, forcing government forces to retreat. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Bananas are the world's most popular and most consumed fruit. They are also one of the most important agricultural commodities and food staples for hundreds of millions of people around the world. The fruit is also in danger of going extinct. The Panama Disease or TR-4 is threatening the most widely exported variety of the banana, the Cavendish. It makes up 99 percent of global banana exports, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission. But it's vulnerable to an aggressive fungal disease that is invading areas where most of the banana supply is produced. And it's happened before. Until the 1950s, consumers were eating a different variety of banana before it succumbed to an invading fungal disease. Now scientists are racing against the clock to save the banana – again. We discuss what's being done to save the world's favorite fruit. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy